Antique Washington, DC Postcards

Aren't these postcards beauties? It all started with my antique New Orleans postcards . . . and now I'm starting a little DC collection as well.

Admittedly, I don't know a lot about paper antiquities -- especially postcards. I have no idea of the value of my small, but growing collection. All I know is that 1) I like 'em, and 2) I bought them on E-bay for (what seemed like) a bargain.

One of the first things you'll notice about these postcards is that the color seems strange. This is, from what I understand, because back before the advents of color photography and four-color (CYMK) process printing -- special artists would "strip in" the color by hand for the printing plates. The effect, although dated and admittedly strange to us now, renders the underlying black-and-white photos both mystical and glorious.

I hope you enjoy my collection. Let me know what you think of it . . . and if you have any antique New Orleans (or other) postcards yourself!

Click on any of the postcard photos below for a more detailed view.

Smithsonian Institute and Agriculture Building

This postcard features a view near the Mall area of our nation's capitol. Note the large Victorian-era greenhouse at the Agriculture building.

(Also, check out this postcard's reverse side, with descriptive text.)

Lincoln Memorial through the Cherry Blossoms

"Lincoln Memorial — Design adopted by the Lincoln Memorial Commission on the site of Potomac Park, near the river, on the axis of the Capitol and the Washington Monument. The statue of Lincoln is in the center of the Memorial, while small halls at each side of central space contain the second Inaugural and Gettsburg Addresses. Surrounding the walls, encasing these memorials is a colonade of 36 columns for each of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death."

This card is addressed simply to "Miss Rachel Smith, Lyndon, Vermont" and is inscribed "March 13 [1947] — We are pretty near to Washington, D.C. now. The train rocks so I can't write very good. I will write a little later. — Maurice." It was postmarked with a 1-cent stamp.

(Also, check out this postcard's reverse side, with descriptive text.)

U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

This 1950s, linen postcard reads: "THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL, set on a height overlooking the amphitheatre of the Potomac, is one of the largest and stateliest buildings in the world. It is 751 feet in length and 350 feet in width, covering three and a half acres. The statue of Freedom on the dome towers 307 feet above the esplanade. The cornerstone was laid by President Washington in 1793; the central building was finished in 1797; and the extensions were first occupied by Congress in 1857."

(Also, check out this postcard's reverse side, with descriptive text.)

Hotel Statler

Check out the nifty bee-bop colors and Modernist design of this early '50s card, which reads: "Located on beautiful 16th Street, between K and L Streets, the modern Washington Statler is a mere three blocks from the White House. Equally convenient are government buildings, and the business and amusement districts. Operated in connection with Hotels Statler, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, New York and Los Angeles (opening Summer, 1952)."

(Also, check out this postcard's reverse side, with descriptive text.)

Georgetown Heights and Georgetown College

This 1938 card reads: "Georgetown or West Washington is the seat of Georgetown College, the oldest and largest Jesuit College in the Country. The first building was erected in 1789. The heights command novel views of the Potomac River and Virginia Hills."

(Also, check out this postcard's reverse side, with descriptive text.)

Search CyberInk

Antique Washington, DC Postcards

Smithsonian Institute and Agriculture Building

Lincoln Memorial through the Cherry Blossoms

U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Hotel Statler

Georgetown Heights and Georgetown College

Back to Main CyberInk Washington, DC Page.

Questions or Comments?

Contact Cyberink's editor, Paul Wade